To date, the Microscope Ball committee’s work has raised over £8 million, helping us to support people living with muscle wasting conditions and fund groundbreaking research.
The partnership reached new heights in 2024 when 740 members of the property industry attended the 40th anniversary Microscope Ball and raised £522k in one night, leading to the committee being shortlisted in the 2025 Third Sector Business Charity Awards which celebrate inspirational partnerships.
Dating back to 1983, the event started as a fundraising breakfast, organised by someone who worked in the property industry and had a son who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. He set out to raise money to fund research into his son’s condition, calling on industry contacts for support.
Around 30 people attended the first fundraiser, and this has grown to hundreds who now attend the annual Microscope Ball – a charity gala which sells out each year and is described by repeat guests as ‘one of the most popular events in the property industry’s calendar’.
Over the past 40 years, the impact of the Microscope Ball and its commercial property sector-based committee has been extraordinary – raising £1 million between 1983 and 1999, £5 million by 2016, and now over £8 million to date following the £522k raised in 2024. This money not only helps to fund research but supports us with all aspects of our work – offering expert advice and support to those living with muscle wasting conditions, working with the NHS towards universal access to specialist healthcare, and campaigning for people’s rights, better understanding, accessibility, and access to treatments.
Looking ahead to the next decade, the Chair of the Microscope Ball Committee and Head of Development at Oxygen, Michelle Anthony said: “It’s an honour to be part of this committee and help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause.
“We were thrilled that last year’s fundraising total exceeded half a million pounds for the first time in the event’s history, but we don’t want to stop there!”
“Going forward, we know that Muscular Dystrophy UK want to reach and support more people who are living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions, and that fundraising events such as the Microscope Ball play a big part in making that happen. It’s a perfect combination of networking, entertainment and philanthropy.”
Michelle has been Chair of the committee since 2018 and, after beating previous fundraising records when she hosted her first event in 2019, she led the committee to continue fundraising and supporting us during the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. While the ball itself had to be cancelled during lockdown periods, Michelle and the committee still managed to engage the rest of the industry and raise £100k that year. The current committee includes individuals from a range of different companies within the property industry, including CBRE Ltd, Fairview, HB Reavis, Knight Frank, Land Securities, Lazari, and Newmark.
“It’s vital that the property sector continues to get behind this fantastic charity,” continues Michelle. “Working together, we can build a real legacy and help Muscular Dystrophy UK as they continue to support people living with muscle wasting conditions, improve understanding, and fund research to lead to new treatments.
“There are lots of promising projects underway and new grants being allocated every year. The charity has already made advances that would have been unthinkable just 10 years ago and are supporting more individuals and families all the time.”
“We’re determined to be part of the next decade, help to make an impact and see further advances to improve people’s lives.”
Since the 1980s, there have been significant advances, which are only possible thanks to fundraising and people’s generosity. For example, the first clinical trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, the approval of Translarna (the first treatment for Duchenne) and having several treatments now available on the NHS with more under review. Alongside funding research to improve understanding of conditions and lead to new treatments, the money raised also helps us to provide life-changing advice and support to people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions, and their families, as well as working with healthcare professionals and campaigning for people’s rights, accessibility, and access to treatments.
Year after year, the Microscope Ball Committee come up with new ideas to engage guests and encourage fundraising. And each year, someone from our community is invited to speak to explain what day-to-day life is like with a muscle wasting condition, helping guests to understand more about the cause and the impact they can make. The ball has also led to other events for the property sector, including a Golf Day, five-a-side Football Tournament and charity Clay Pigeon Shoot.
Cathey Cullum, Special Events Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “The property industry has gone above and beyond for us over the years, and we really can’t thank them enough for everything they do. From the committee behind the Microscope Ball to sponsors and event attendees, it makes such a difference. Fundraising like this enables us to continue supporting people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions as well as funding research.
“We know from speaking to people in our community, what a difference it makes to them – knowing that so many people are behind the cause and supporting them and their families. On behalf of everyone at the charity and in our community, I’d like to say a huge thank you.”
The Microscope Ball 41st Spectacular is taking place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Thursday 25 September 2025.
